Project2_Layout 1 21/12/2023 14:10 Page 1
Gardens around the world
Dreaming of your next getaway? Elly West whisks us away on a trip to some of her favourite far-flung gardens, from the Netherlands’ expansive carpets of tulips to a full-sized aeroplane made of flowers in Dubai
T
his is the time of year when many of us are dreaming of some sunshine. Unsurprisingly, it’s the busiest month for holiday bookings, with travellers thinking of fresh starts and new adventures. We all want something to look forward to during the cold, dark, short days of January, planning getaways early in the year now that the hubbub of Christmas is out of the way. One of the things I love about visiting unfamiliar places is the different flora, whether it’s the bright-red geraniums grown against whiterendered houses in Spain, olive trees the size of our ancient oaks growing en masse in Greece, or the tulips of Keukenhof in the Netherlands. There are many, many places on my bucket list still to see. For example, the golden canola flower fields of China, or the Zen gardens of Kansai, Japan. But perhaps the most jaw-dropping place I’ve ever seen plants grown was at the Dubai Miracle Garden. As with much of Dubai, no expense is spared, and the result is like Disneyland on steroids. Nowhere else have I seen a full-sized aeroplane made of flowers. Described as the ‘world’s largest natural flower garden’, there is nothing natural about this place in the desert. The colourful exhibits are interspersed with giant Smurfs and as much colour as any retina can absorb. But I loved its ability to transport the imagination, and there is no denying the beauty and unique experience of being surrounded by so much colour. More than 150 million flowers are blooming at any one time during the cooler months when it is open, from October to April. You can wander through a series of heart-shaped arches (covered in flowers), see a giant castle (covered in flowers) and a quadruplet of enormous cats (variation: topiary). While the Dubai Miracle Garden may not have much in the way of direct takeaway ideas for our gardens back home, it does show us that anything is possible. It can motivate us use our imagination in the garden 66 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2024 | No 230
and choose things we like, even if they may not pass the taste test. Gardens should be personal, and a bit of fun can go a long way. Other gardens closer to home and with similar climates can be great sources of more practical inspiration for our own spaces. I love visiting botanical gardens whenever and wherever I can. They are often in urban areas, providing a calm oasis on an otherwise busy city break, and offering a chance to immerse the senses in greenery and nature. Botanical gardens are great places to learn about plants and see rare specimens and collections of a particular species. I was lucky to live very close to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, for many years, and I love No expense is spared at Dubai’s Miracle Garden